2 Reds prospects who should be traded at the deadline, 4 who should be untouchable

The Cincinnati Reds are getting ready to enter the month of July, and with a sub-.500 record are looking more like sellers than buyers with the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching. Cincinnati's hopes of contending for a spot in the postseason aren't completely dead, but they're certainly on life support.

With that in mind, the Reds are unlikely to be shopping many of their prospects for roster upgrades ahead of the August 3 deadline, but if get back into the thick of the playoff hunt, there are at least two players who could be moved. On the flip side, Cincinnati needs to hold fast to a number of their talented youngsters, and there are four Reds' prospects who should be considered untouchable.

Reds should be willing to trade Cam Collier & Edwin Arroyo

If the Reds are able to will their way back into the postseason picture before the MLB trade deadline and become actual buyers, Cam Collier and Edwin Arroyo should be made available. Both players represent a redundancy on the roster, and could net Cincinnati some extra pieces that could help push them toward an October run.

Collier is a former first-round pick, and while the Reds' scouts are still high on him, his production doesn't scream elite prospect. Though injuries have played a role, Collier has posted a collective OPS below .800 for the past two seasons, and his current OPS is below .700. The upside is there, however, and another organization may value what he brings to the table.

Arroyo made his Major League debut already this season, and while there've been mixed results, he's a solid defender up the middle who can hit from both side of the plate. He's also shown plenty of power while playing in the minor leagues earlier this year. It's going to be difficult for Arroyo to find regular playing time with Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain on the roster.

Alfredo Duno headlines the Reds prospects who are untouchable

Alfredo Duno has the potential to be the best prospect in all of baseball by the time the 2026 minor league season comes to a close. While there are still questions about his ability to stick behind the plate, his bat in undeniable. But Duno isn't the only Reds prospect who should be off limits at the trade deadline. Cincinnati needs to hold onto Steele Hall, Tyson Lewis, and Héctor Rodríguez as well.

Hall was last year's first-round draft pick, and has gotten off to a blazing start with the ACL Reds this season. The 18-year-old is known for his speed, but he's already showing some development in the power department this season; that could elevate his profile in the minds of scouts.

Lewis is too talented to shop at this year's deadline. While the results haven't been there early this season, the former second-round pick has made strides over the past week, and his physical tools are off the charts. If he can mitigate those strikeouts and become a competent defender at the hot corner, the Reds might have a star in the making.

Rodríguez should already be on the Reds' active roster, but the Reds continue to keep him bottled up down in Triple-A. He's a notorious bad-ball hitter, and given Cincinnati's lack of outfield depth, there's no way they can afford to trade him later this summer.

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